Margaret River Gourmet Escape 2016 event program revealed

Events to suit a range of budgets have been announced, including the popular Gourmet Beach BBQ, an Augusta Seafood Discovery Lunch and the opportunity to hear from headliner Nigella Lawson.

Seafood master and celebrity chef Rick Stein will return again this year, hosting Steins in the Vines at Evans and Tate, alongside son and executive chef Jack Stein for a seafood-focused feast using locally caught produce.

In keeping with the local seafood theme, chef Don Hancey will host a guided tour of the best of Cape Leeuwin’s offerings, where participants will learn about seafood caught and farmed off the coast of Augusta including Southern Rock lobster and abalone.

Local Wadandi man Josh Whiteland will again head up a twilight bushwalk to forage for coastal bush foods, before a spine-tingling didgeridoo performance in the depths of ancient Ngilgi Cave.

Guests will enjoy bush snacks prepared by Mr Whiteland in the company of visiting celebrity chefs and paired with Margaret River wines.

A list of new events will feature at the 2016 festival, including once in a lifetime dining experiences alongside some of the biggest names from the world of gastronomy. 

Now in it’s fifth year, Gourmet Escape continues to attract crowds from within WA as well as an increasing number of interstate and overseas visitors.

Chefs and food and wine connoisseurs who have visited the region as part of the festival have raved about the quality of available produce, sustainable methods and breathtaking venues on offer.

“Gourmet Escape, without question, is the greatest food event on the planet,” said chef Marco Pierre White on his visit in 2015. 

“Chefs from every single part of the Earth are here; when they leave, it’s life changing because they’ve been introduced to something truly magical.”

For a full list of Gourmet Escape events and to book tickets, visit www.gourmetescape.com.au